Warriors land the 7th pick: Real-world decisions, and an uncompromising lottery outcome

-I’ve said it before: The Warriors’ off-season pivots from here, and having their own first-round pick means they’ve got many more options on the table.

Or on the white board, as GM Bob Myers put it tonight.

If they stay at No. 7, I’ve heard that Kentucky SF Terrence Jones interests them because of his toughness and versatility, and that Baylor’s Perry Jones III at this point is not high on their list.

But it’s very early. The work-outs will really ramp up now because agents weren’t going to send lottery-level guys to the Warriors until they knew the GSWs had the pick.

They have the pick, and Myers said the team would like to put the small forwards together and play them against each other.

The same with some of the power forward/centers–which I assume would include Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger and UConn’s Andre Drummond and maybe North Carolina’s Tyler Zeller.

Those will be some good workouts.

If the Warriors look to bundle No. 7 and No. 30 (trade with San Antonio) and the two 2nd-round picks… I’d presume the Warriors would target a young veteran SF, and Andre Iguodala is the name that does keep coming up.

OK, to the column…

-Note: There is a lot of repeated thoughts and words from my previous item, which was the quickee-version of this column.

We’re posting a lot more and a lot more quickly on the website these days, so this happens.

—-the column (UNEDITED VERSION)/

The Warriors got what they tanked for, though practically, they can’t quite explain it that way.

It’s OK, I will: They cannily ignored PR concerns and played by real-world rules, doing some less than glorious things.

They essentially played to lose for the last month of the season, and still needed about 10 different things to all break the right way.

Yes, they took—and are still taking–heavy criticism and violated the more genteel sporting codes.

And what does it matter now? The Warriors kept the seventh slot in the NBA draft lottery Wednesday night, which means they don’t have to send it to Utah to satisfy a long-ago trade.

For once, what could go wrong for the Warriors did not. It was not pretty, it was not graceful, but it all went right.

Which means the franchise’s off-season starts off with a giant exhale and the high value of a good draft spot.

“It’s almost like you had to run a gauntlet to end up where we are,” general manager Bob Myers said on a call with local reporters after the lottery.

“But we can’t rest–it’s what we do with it.”

This is just how practical teams have to operate to accumulate the most value they can. You don’t usually get from bad to good by adhering to Robert’s Rules of Order.

You might not like it, but it didn’t hurt San Antonio’s karma when it lost a bazillion games just in time to get in position to draft Tim Duncan in 1997.

The Jazz absolutely didn’t love watching the Warriors lose 22 of their final 27 games with barely recognizable line-ups.

But the Warriors owed Utah nothing.

The Warriors’ only responsibility: Do what’s best for the franchise long-term, and having this pick in this deep draft is clearly what’s best.

“We kept our pick, I think we kept our integrity and I think we have some good options going forward,” Myers said.

“I think Mark (Jackson) had the players competing at a high level. I think we actually let the chips fall where they may…

“I think it was a a testament to our coach to have our players playing as hard as they did.”

It ended up with the Warriors at 23-43, tied with Toronto for the seventh and eighth slots. So the Warriors needed every last one of those losses.

Then the Warriors needed to win the coin-flip with the Raptors to stay in the seventh slot, pre-lottery. Then they needed to hold their position during the lottery.

All of that happened. The team with some of the worst lottery luck in NBA history… finally didn’t get burned.

That produced a franchise-wide sigh of relief, immediate excitement, and now comes the execution.

“I don’t want to be in position and this organization to be in position where we’re relying on chance and coin flips and lottery balls,” Myers said.

“I want to be in position where we’re in the playoffs.”

What will they do? By most evaluations, there should be a number of interesting small forwards available around the No. 7 slot and coincidentally small forward is a large team need this summer.

It’s early, but I’d list Kentucky’s Terrence Jones at the top of the Warriors’ probable list.

Add Jones to the incumbent group of Bogut, David Lee, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson… and that’s something better than the Warriors have had in a long time.

Or the Warriors could bundle up two or three of their four draft choices this season—maybe featuring the No. 7 pick—for aneven higher pick or to make an offer for a young veteran like Philadelphia’s Andre Iguodala.

“Now we have the ability to put on the white board endless possibilities as to what we can do and that’s a good feeling,” Myers said.

“We feel good about what we’ll be able to come up with.”

This is when it started: March 13, the day they traded Monta Ellis and Ekpe Udoh for an injured Andrew Bogut.

The Warriors were 17-21 at the time, and not realistically in the playoff hunt, but close enough to pretend.

That’s where so many other Warriors teams have lied to themselves about their short-term prospects and cost themselves long-term value.

They didn’t lie to themselves this time. They did what they had to do to aim for true and lasting improvement.

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I’m a UK fan and Terrence Jones has no lift and can barely shoot over guys who were in college, plus he couldn’t get up to play in most of the 35-40 college games so what do u think he’s going to bring playing 82?

Stay away from both Jones’ in my opinion, Perry and Terrence.

Harrison Barnes if he lasted until 7 would be my pick but doubt he lasts till then.

Warrior Fan

In terms of bundling picks in trade, I thought in the past they were limited due to inability to trade out of 1st round in consecutive years and next years #1 is tied up in the same Utah issue. Does this mean we can trade #7 this year as long as we keep San Antonio’s 1st rounder this yr? I’m assuming this means we can’t bundle both 1st rounders for a non-this or next year #1 pick?

ChuckDurn

Warrior Fan, we need to have a first-round pick this year, be it our #7, our #30, or a pick that we trade for. I assume we could trade for a guaranteed #1 next year, but I think there’s virtually zero likelihood of that. We want an asset who will help the team in 2012-13.

Playing Terrence Jones at the 3 scares the heck out of me. He is very inconsistent from the outside, and not able to create at all. He’s physical, but it’s because he’s basically a tweener. I’m not in love with Barnes, but at least he has a pure position.

I personally would be very surprised if we don’t trade the pick. The negotiations with Utah to keep the pick (even if at #8) signaled that to m. You can’t be certain that any specific player will be there for you at #8, so why give up assets purely to guarantee that? Seems clear to me we wanted that pick because we intend to use it in a trade.

WorriedWarrior

The Warriors should trade all their picks for Stephen Jackson.

B

I see TJ as a PF in the pros. TK – you call him a SF in this post, do you have any insight into whether the Warriors actually view him as a SF or PF long-term?

Russell Cross

Wow, never been happier to just stay put where we were at 7. BTW great article today by Monte Poole reminding us the W’s bad drafts have hindered this franchise more than bad luck.

I’d first take a flier and see if there’s a way to pry the no 2 pick from Charlotte to draft Kidd-Gilchrest. Love how he’d fit this W’s team and at same time Charlotte needs so much that getting 4 picks in a deep draft for a defensive minded small forward may give them pause to think it over.

Barnes is not a good fit here and Jones scares me. Chad Ford on Bill Simmons podcast compared Drummond to Dwight Howard so if he’s not going top 3 he must have “motivational” issues.

I still really like Draymond Green from Mich State. Thought he was best player in tournament. So skilled but may struggle defensively with super athetic 3’s. Still I can see them trading the pick.

DS

If Bogut & Curry can play serious minutes next year and KT continues to improve (and stays with the Warriors) there might be some real hope. If not, I am sure there are always openings in the D league for teams

Jim

Also a UK fan, agreeing with #1. If they drafted Terrence Jones it would have to be because they like his defense and rebounding, not his (very limited) offensive game. Ekpe Udoh actually might be a fair comparable to TJ, although he’s even an inch shorter than Udoh. If they’re going to go in that direction then they’d be far better off taking Andre Drummond if he’s available, who’s also a strong defender and rebounder but is also a much better athlete with a lot more potential on offense and a superstar ceiling if he develops properly. Personally I’m holding out hope that Thomas Robinson somehow ends up sliding down to 7. I won’t hold my breath for it, but I have seen him going as low as #6 in some recent mocks, so it wouldn’t take a big drop to get him. I’m not excited about Barnes – if he’s the best player available, fine, but he strikes me as exactly the sort of player the Warriors have been drafting for most of the last 30 years: the “safe pick” who’ll be a productive complimentary player but never an All-Star.

Jim

#6 – the scouting report on Drummond is that he’s an elite athlete who’s very good for his age on the defensive end – he flashed a lot of shot blocking and rebounding skill at UConn – but he’s still very raw offensively and some scouts have questioned his maturity. If he keeps his head straight and develops his post game he’s the next Dwight Howard, if he doesn’t he’s the next Kwame Brown. That’s the gamble you’re taking if you draft him.

The ironic thing is the W’s stars all came into alignment to provide them with the opportunity to keep their lottery pick. However, if GSW follows suit karma will be in order as they make a(nother) bad pick or decision.

Do not pick Jared Sullinger. he will be exposed for the less than talented, barely lifting off the ground round mound that he has become; even after loosing weight before last year he was exposed for his lack of physicality. . .

I agree with the assessments of both Terrence Jones & Andre Drummond. However, I believe Perry Jones was miscast as a 4/5 @ Baylor & will flourish as a 3 in the pros. think of a more offensive skilled Tayshaun Prince. . .

Kidd -Gilchrist would really be a great addition but I think Charlotte wouldn’t want the four picks for him. Not enough veteran talent to plug all their gaping holes, despite the alleged “deepness” of this draft class.

I think this class is overrated. Most of the players are one dimensional, lack motors or are immature. Of course this will be the norm until the NBA & the player’s association don’t compromise on a new minimal age requirement (say, 20?) for draft eligible players. . .

I think Andre Igudola is more of a complimentary player than assertive type. he seems to vanish in “crunch” time & don’t really want somebody’s second hand, high salary commanding veteran. haven’t the W’s been there before?

And for the criticism of “tanking” games to arrive in this very position, well, not the first time this will occur & certainly not the last. . .

thardawayfan

I think Perry Jones and Andre Drummond are a lot less risky than the websites claim. Drummond already has much better tools than Kwame Brown ever did. Kwame had some of the worst hands since Adonal Foyle. A big man who can’t catch the ball is never going to be able to rebound and finish well. Drummond has decent hands. He also has lighter feet and a much quicker leaper than Kwame was even when Kwame was fresh out of HS. Perry Jones is going to be a stud. He is young right now so his head and confidence might not be where you’d want. But he also has incredible athleticism and a unique skill set for a guy of his height and stature. People may want to compare him to Anthony Randolph, but he is much more polished and seems more mature. Jones is much more like a young Lamar Odom.

Contrast the potential of those guys to the guys that the Warriors appear to be interested in–Jared Sullinger and Terrence Jones. Those “safe” guys are classic Warrior bust picks. A lot like how Ike Diogu was chosen ahead of Andrew Bynum. And so on with Adonal over McGrady, Dunleavy over Stoudamire, Fuller over Kobe. Let’s not go with the safe pick PLEASE!

Rui

its nice to postulate that the Warriors tanked, but the truth is that if Steph Curry and David Lee stay healthy, we aren’t having this conversation. Yes, they gave significant minutes to Jenkins, Thompson, and Tyler, but that was as much necessity as it was strategic. Finally, the trade for Bogut was the right move. You just dont get opportunities to get a quality big man that often. It wasn’t tanking. It was decision making that considered the long-term in conjunction with immediate needs.

2012 lets go!

lol don’t listen to Chad Ford. He also loved Dunleavy, Milcic, Nicolas Tsikilivili, etc. Not sure why that guy has a job after being so terribly wrong so many times.

There’s plenty of elite athletes who have been draft busts. They need the mental makeup as well.

Niner

Sounds like they could trade down a get some middle picks. So far no one at 7 seems to stand out. Like others i trust in J West!

old stater fan

The time is now. No more lotteries. Package the picks and get an established player. (Iguodala, Batum, etc.) Re-sign Rush and McGuire and just pray for good health.

StanTheMan

No bundling for another overpriced veteran whose best years are behind him. The Warriors are NOT one player from being a playoff team – they are several players short, which means they MUST rebuild through the draft.

Matthew

Stay away from Harrison Barnes – extremely overrated, and way too high on himself.

Chris Webber

Too bad they didn’t freakin amnesty Beans last year. They have options, but are currently capped out with only the MLE available.

They would need to have other teams agree to take one of the big contracts, which might be a little tricky. We’ll get to see how creative Myers is, I guess.

Guero

Agree with Stan at #12, the W’s are NOT close to being anything other than a #8 seed contender. We need better players and more depth, not a team that will never get out of the first round. No Iguodala, please! Rush and McGuire?? Please

hwighting

you can thank jeremy lin for one of those toronto losses

Trent

ABB: Anyone but Barnes!

Seriously, the fact that the guy remains so high on the list of the draft “experts” out there just proves that most watch very little college basketball. Barnes was ridiculously overhyped coming out of high school, never lived up to expectations and was the fourth best player on his team last season. Look at what he did (or, should I say, didn’t do) when Kendall Marshall was injured at the end of last season.

Barnes can shoot a bit, but he’s still nothing more than a spot-up shooter who thinks he has a “brand”. Seriously, The Atlantic wrote an article about Barnes in the spring and it was all about him managing his image and brand… So, not only is he incredibly overrated to this day based on pre-college projections and some uncontested game-winning jumpers he hit as a freshman, but he’s more worried about saying the right things and being the NBA’s next marketing giant.

Seriously, Warriors, not with a 10-foot pole!

lime

Harrison Barnes is a sure thing because he’s from UNC!!!

Signed
Antawn Jamison and Brandon Wright

old stater fan

Hey guero, did you watch any Warrior games last year? I guarantee that there will be plenty of other teams interested in Rush and McGuire.

BearDown

I love the fact that Meyers is the GM now. It’s nice hearing an intelligent voice coming from that position. And don’t keep bringing up all the foolish draft picks of the past. This is a new FO and they deserve to start with a clean slate. JW did a good job with last year’s draft.

With Gasol and Jefferson contracts coming up the warriors could then be major players in FA as well in a few years…..while stuck with Lee’s contract….they never will be

also Curry is replacable, there are tons of NBA players who can shoot and pass but cannot play any defense even though they’re trying their absolute hardest

Nick Fury

Forget Iggy – go after L. Deng!
I can see it now – Deng vs. Durant?

Nick Fury

Forget Iggy – go after L. Deng!
I can see it now – Deng vs. Durant?

rockridge

I think #10 antispy3 hits the nail on the head with —

“Most of the players are one dimensional, lack motors or are immature. Of course this will be the norm until the NBA & the player’s association don’t compromise on a new minimal age requirement (say, 20?) for draft eligible players. . .”

There IS NO PERFECT PLAYER IN THIS DRAFT and there will never be in any draft unless your talking an overall #1 pick, and even that’s not guaranteed. All these young players now-a-days all have flaws…

95% of young guys will have athleticism and “high potential” but ask Anthony Randolph and Brandan Wright — there is much more to becoming a superstar than “potential.”

In my opinion everyone in this draft not named Anthony Davis, Mike Kidd-Gilchrist or Bradley Beal — has boom-or-bust potential being that all these young players now are so hit or miss.

I think its more of matter of coaching, support from management, time to develop and how they fit with our current lineup — than their individual talent vs flaws… All these guys have both talent and flaws and that’s the way all drafts will be.

Wow, hearing Bob Myers on the radio just now compared to Larry Riley could NOT be more different.

Mr. Che

Also please no Harrison Barnes. No defense, image conscious, NOT the kind of player the logo’s going to sign off on please. I’d rather take Sullinger, but not too excited about him either. Let’s trade #7 for a veteran who plays defense at the 3 and hope to grab Draymond Green at #30. Jeffrey Taylor sounds really like the guy they need though.

Martina

Move the #7 + Dorell Wright for Paul Millsap.

Oklahoma Formula

Follow the path to Thunder Land…..they showed the warriors and league how smart people draft. They drafted freakishly gifted , athletic, big, talented players whoe should be there for years to come. Do not fall into the same old pit of past warrios’s stupid short-sighted thinking. What I mean is, do not waste a high # 7 pick on a slightly past his prime veteran,,,,even for an Iguodala veteran. Veterans are for bench…like Fisher etc. (Idon’t want Fisher). Get the best bigs available, go for quick athletic high up-side players….do not trade away picks for veterans!!!!

Jai

Ok Myers this is what you should do. You should trade down with the sole focus to draft Royce White from Iowa St. To me he is the second best overall player in this draft. Remember when his team Iowa St, played Anthony Davis and Kentucky in the NCAA tournament? Who were the two best players on the floor? Exactly! Anthony Davis and Royce White. Like I said, Royce White is the second best player in this draft. He is easily the best SF in the draft. Michael Kidd Gilcrest is a good player, and at 19, he has tremendous potential. But Royce White can do it all. Shoot, handle, pass, post, defend, and he is ready to play in the NBA right now at a high level.

Honestly, if we can’t land MKG, I really think the dubs should trade back and pick up a veteran or extra picks. There is comparable value at SF later in the draft. If Barnes is left to us at 7, we can find similar players with better defense later in the draft. Terrence Ross is my pick for us at SF and he’s mid to late 1st round.